Dear 16 Year Old Me

Snatched . . . this from Amber and Ben's blog. It was so good I had to pass it along and I think that is just what is wanted. Feel free to spread the word. Would you post this on your blog and ask your readers to do the same?

Oh if only the young would trust.



Happy day, msk

MEDITERRANEAN DIET INFO : I found this from a Ma*yo Clinic sight and have been reading up on it. I plan to purchase a Mediterranean type cookbook hopefully this coming week.

MEDITERRANEAN DIET PYRAMID

From another source below:

Penn Med:

In a major study in the 1960's, researchers looked at the diets of different countries and the rate of heart disease in these locations. They observed that people in Mediterranean countries seemed to have lower rates of heart disease.

The Mediterranean Diet is based on:

1. Plant-based meals with large amounts of vegetables and smaller amounts of meat and chicken.
2. Larger servings of grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables and legumes
3. Obtaining high amounts of fiber, antioxidants and other nutrients
4. An abundant supply of fish and other seafood-rich in omega-3 fats
5. Olive oil as the main source of monounsaturated fat
6. Wholesome ingredients that are fresh and simply prepared
7. Flavorful meals
8. Dining with others at a leisurely pace

Foods that are decreased in the Mediterranean Diet include:

1. Red meats
2. Sweets and other desserts
3. Eggs
4. Butter

Overall, a Mediterranean diet is lower in carbohydrates and higher in monounsaturated fat than a typical American diet. Following such a diet might lead to better blood sugar control, as well as lower triglycerides and a reduced risk of heart disease.

Anyone have any input on this subject?

Recipes to share?

Links for me to check out?

Striving for better health.

I really posted this for me as a resource to return to but if it interests you and be of help I'll be glad.

Happy Day from MSK

That's Not My Problem

Being Underweight
This is what I recently read and you can find it here:

It’s easy to equate fleshiness with obesity, but “fullness is a sign of youth,” says Batayneh. “People are afraid of gaining weight to look better, but that’s what cosmetic fillers do — restore the plumpness to the face.”

Being chronically underweight can also affect your insides, contributing to infertility, anemia and osteoporosis — potentially shaving six to seven years off of a life.

Guess I should feel sorry for those skinny-on-purpose people.

I have the opposite problem, plumpness - though I've really been working on it.

Is the grass always greener on the other side???

I read once that the best face lift is a SMILE. I soooo agree with that!

Here's to smiling and laughter. Love, love, love them both.

Roughing It Easy and China

Do you remember Dian Thomas from the Today Show many years ago. Before she was even on television I was a fan.
I had this book Roughing It Easy in my home when the kids were young. I don't think I used it enough. It's a great book and Dian is just LOADED with ideas for outdoor cooking be it camping or backyard. Great ideas to use with kids. She has several other books that also are good.

Well fast forward and see what Dian is up to. She's spent a month in China and tells about the healthy life style she witnessed of a lot of exercise, bike riding out of necessity and eating a large amount of vegetables and fruit.

Prior to going to China she was giving a talk and a member of her audience came up and told her he lived in China and started up a factory there. He and his family hired a cook "Season" and he was 25 lbs. thinner in China...which of course means he's put on 25 lbs. now that he's back eating his American style food. This man offered Dian to tour his factory and also meet his cook and get lessons from her. Below are Season and Dian at the market. Season daily buys her food stuffs from the market.

If you would like to know more, I certainly do and will be following Dian's future articles on her trip to China click on Chinese Farmer Market Key to Fresh, Delicious, and Nutritious Food

Sugar, the Great "Food" Deceiver

This morning I read an article about sugar. Boy was it worth my time. With strong recommendation I pass a link along to you so you too can be further educated. Please, please check it out HERE. It's not a quick read but not bad. I think it is especially important if you have children in your home...even more so if those children are my precious grands. This may nudge you out of some comfort zone but please consider. There, have I been too pushy??? Hope not. Sent with love.

1.16.09

I don't know why I am forcing myself to blog. I haven't wanted to post for several days. Some of the reason for this forcing is because dear family checks in to see what I'm up to and really I don't want to let them down. Maybe I'm not living an interesting enough life right now. I really think that is part of it. Well, here is today's attempt to be a tad interesting. Forgive me if necessary.

The week started off well with being able to donate at the blood drive up at church. It was "A positive" experience. When the drive is held at church it is always fun since I will know most of the fine folks showing up to donate and we can gab.

I got around to planting the pots/urns from last summer's Oregon garage sale that Skippie transported down. They will be blooming soon but for the time look their pretty green selves. I will eventually get around to touching up the chips on the urns but don't hold you breath. I'm in need of reorganizing the patio/plants. Any sisters want to come down and help. My sister's are much more flowery than I. I also need a trip to a nursery and purchase more annuals. This is soooooooooooooo late in the season for me but still worthwhile. I do love the bloomers. And with this gorgeous upper 70's weather I can't complain about a thing.

I have turned a new page on healthy eating. I could say the holidays were ballooning for me...disgrace. 4 days is a start and so far so good. At my age it's not all about appearance but health issues. I've just finished making my WW version of vegetable soup, double batch, and a big bowl is cooling while I type. Oh how I wish food wasn't such a temptation but I will put a big effort into keeping good, fun, safe food in my home and the time to prepare.

Kirby is still my gimpy boy. My heart takes a real hit when I leave for my walks without him. I get such a sad look. He's still on the pain meds and limping the same. My guess is he will end up with surgery yet. I'd like to be wrong though.

All you loves in the cold climes I'm thinking of you and wishing you could be here basking. I know you'd enjoy the narcissus I just planted. I usually have them blooming in the house for Christmas but that didn't get done and I decided to stop stressing and just enjoy them in a pot for the new year. You know how heavenly they will smell in a few short weeks. Love my orange duckie beside.

The pixie bougainvillea below is loosing some leaves but is still such a welcoming splash of color.

Up close you can see Kirby has been squeezing passed and maybe that's what's knocking off some leaves.

My two lemon trees in pots so need to be transplanted and I must consider how that's going to happen since they are big and I can't do that alone. I've only picked one lemon, a Meyer. Last week I made lemon curd which is a delight and lemonade. Isn't it funny that most people think of lemonade as a summer drink and yet the lemons are ready to be picked in winter. Oh well.

I'll just also mention how happy I am that blogger NieNie actually posted today. What a wonderful miracle that family has received. I so welcome reading her life attitudes on a regular basis again. Hoping you and I make this a great day.